Rikas - “Side By Side”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 5

Pairs Well With…The New Mastersounds, Vulfpeck, Still Woozy 

Classic funk grooves mixed with indie pop and rock, Rikas’ music is equally fun and soulful, providing a party bounce while still keeping chillwave threads that open their sound right up. Their latest is 2021 EP Short Stories, an upbeat collection ranging from new-wave pop number “Superstitious”, R&B throwback ballad “Party On The Rooftop”, and the joyous romp of “Stereo”. Add some jazz melodies and rhythms and Rikas’ musical space grows with opportunity without losing the deep grooves that buoy their sound. The German quartet succeeds best when that hit a 50/50 blend of technical, prog/jam-styled instrumentation and breezy chillwave pop (“Side By Side”, “Overthinking”), a trait that is new compared their more spaced-out full-length Showtime. Short Stories eschews eclecticism for breezy songwriting, toned down melodically and adding to tight songwriting rather than letting their draw to technical complexity replace the power of writing a good, catchy song. (Kevin McStravick)